What Midwives Actually Do (And Why It Changes Everything)

What Midwives Actually Do (And Why It Changes Everything)

From The Mama's Den by Black Love Podcast Network

April 20, 2026 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the role of midwives in childbirth and the importance of supportive care for women, particularly Black women.

When our guest was born, her mom’s labor was candles, olive oil, and vibes… Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same experience. In this episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re getting real about childbirth — because between us, we’ve experienced a little bit of everything. The beautiful births. The “this is not what I planned” moments. The amazing providers… and the ones who had us like, wait, is this normal?! And if you’ve ever walked away from a birth experience feeling confused, dismissed, rushed, or just trying to make sense of what happened — you are not alone. We’re joined by Certified Nurse Midwife Jyesha Wren, who breaks down what midwives actually do (spoiler: they don’t just pop in at the end), how they differ from OBs and doulas, and why so many women — especially Black women — deserve more supportive, informed, and respectful care. In true Mama’s Den fashion, we’re sharing: • Our real childbirth stories — the highs, the surprises, and the “nobody told me THIS” moments • The myth vs. reality of birth (because it’s not just crystals and calm breathing, okay?) • What midwives actually do — and why that level of care can change everything • The difference between midwives, OBs…

People in this episode

Guest: Jyesha Wren

Topics covered

  • midwifery
  • childbirth
  • maternal care
  • Black women
  • healthcare disparities

Keywords

  • midwives
  • childbirth experiences
  • OBs
  • doulas
  • maternal health
  • supportive care
  • healthcare

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Black Love Podcast Network

More episodes of The Mama's Den

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Mama's Den podcast page.